Built From Manhattan's Bedrock

A four-story, Gothic-style building created out of blocks of Manhattan bedrock 176 years ago is being restored -- and converted into condominiums.

Jan. 23, 2013 9:27 p.m. ET

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The General Theological Seminary built the this four-story, Gothic-style building, pictured in an archive illustration, in 1836, near the shores of the Hudson River, before the river was pushed westward by many tons of landfill. It was known simply as the 'West Building' to distinguish it from a nearly identical 'East Building' that was demolished more than a century ago.
General Theological Seminary…

The building is pictured in an archive photo from 1927. The building was created out of hand-laid blocks of gray mica-flecked Manhattan schist, with thick stone buttresses on the corners and walls that are two- to three-feet thick in places. It is now being restored and converted into condominiums.
General Theological Seminary…

The exterior of the building on West 20th Street is pictured. It is one of the oldest buildings caught up in the city's condominium conversions craze. To shore up its finances, the seminary has sold the squat building to a developer, the Brodsky Organizations, along with the site of a tennis court and playground next door.
Andrew Hinderaker for The Wall Street Journal…

A rendering of the building. The stonework exterior has been restored by Beyer Blinder Belle, an architecture firm that specializes in historic preservation.
Archpartners…

A rendering of the lobby. The interior was gutted and is being converted into eight large condominiums with wood-burning fireplaces, and private gardens on four duplex units.
Archpartners…

Here, a living room in the annex building, which is under construction next door to the main building and will feature an additional 14 apartments. The buildings are being connected by a three-story glass atrium.
Archpartners…

Here, a rendering of the penthouses at the top of the annex, which were combined and listed for a total of $12.6 million.
Archpartners…

Since the buildings, both with an address at 455 West 20th Street, went on the market by word of mouth last fall, 11 of 22 condominiums have gone into contract, according to James Lansill, a senior managing director at Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group, which is selling the apartments.
Andrew Hinderaker for The Wall Street Journal…

At right, the exterior of one of the buildings. Most prospective buyers are New Yorkers, familiar with the Chelsea neighborhood, Mr. Lansill said.
Andrew Hinderaker for The Wall Street Journal…

The interior of the stone building. The land was donated to the Seminary in 1817 by Clement Clarke Moore, the author of the poem 'A Visit from St. Nicholas' better known as 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.'
Andrew Hinderaker for The Wall Street Journal…

At right, the exterior of the older building. The buildings are on Chelsea Square, between 9th and 10th Avenues and West 20th and 21st Street, which has been home to the seminary since the 1820's.
Andrew Hinderaker for The Wall Street Journal…

The conversion process has been tricky. 'It turns out that it is easier to put up a new building than to restore these older buildings,' said Thomas Brodsky of the Brodsky Organization, who was overseeing the project. Prices are listed beginning at $2.26 million for a one bedroom apartment.
Andrew Hinderaker for The Wall Street Journal…